Town accepts $10,000 Freeport McMoRan grant to expand Grow in Sahuarita small-business coaching program

The Town of Sahuarita accepted a $10,000 site grant from Freeport McMoRan and authorized a budget amendment to add the revenue and corresponding economic development program expenditures.

Victor Gonzales, the town’s economic development and public affairs director, introduced Alex Magallanes and Hillary (last name not provided), the program’s coaches, who described Grow in Sahuarita’s coaching model for small-business owners. Alex said the program, launched in February 2023, focuses on ideation, incubation and acceleration for nascent businesses and offers one-on-one coaching, market research and connections to resource partners including the Small Business Development Center, SCORE and Pima Community College.

Alex told council the program had enrolled 88 businesses in 2024 (14 active clients at the time of the presentation), completed more than 400 hours of coaching and helped clients complete 354 action items and meet 58 client goals. The Freeport grant will fund a 12-month subscription to a platform the coaches said will provide competitive analysis and CRM-style coaching tools to participants.

Hillary described coaching as a hands-on relationship where staff work alongside owners on marketing, financial planning and operational tasks. "Coaching's a little different in that it's you come alongside the business owner and you really walk with them," she said. The council voted to accept the grant and approve the corresponding amendment to the Grants and Restricted Sources Fund.

Action: Motion to accept the Freeport McMoRan site grant for Grow in Sahuarita and amend the budget was moved and seconded; council voted in favor. The motion carried and staff were directed to proceed with procurement of the platform and program outreach.